Relief for memory patient caregivers

Tuesday

May 15, 2018 at 12:37 PM

By Laura Hay I am fortunate to still have my active and vibrant mother with me, enjoying all the richness that life has to offer. But as I look around at my friends, I am noticing more and more of them are dealing with a new stage in their lives " parenting their parents. The […]

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By Laura HayI am fortunate to still have my active and vibrant mother with me, enjoying all the richness that life has to offer. But as I look around at my friends, I am noticing more and more of them are dealing with a new stage in their lives " parenting their parents. The Alzheimer's Association cites an alarming statistic that there is a new Alzheimer's diagnosis every 65 seconds. The reality is that we will all be touched by this disease, whether it is caring for a parent, a partner, a friend, or being the one needing care.

It's daunting to know that in 2018, there will be 130,000 people living with Alzheimer's in Massachusetts alone. That number is expected to grow by more than 15% in 2025. It is estimated that family members and other unpaid care partners provide more than 384 million hours in care, placing them under incredibly high levels of stress.

One friend shared that, 'as a caregiver for a parent, I find it comforting to talk with others who have parents with the same memory issues. It's indescribably disheartening to see your once-vibrant parent become a shell of their former self. Learning how others have dealt, or are still dealing with memory issues, provides advice and coping skills for communicating and providing joyful interaction. It also reinforces that, while it feel isolating, I'm not alone.'

Utilizing the incredible team of South Shore Conservatory (SSC) music therapists, the SSC Memory Café serves two important constituents: the Alzheimer's patient and the care partner. The programming is designed to provide patient and care partner with social engagement, space for expression, and connections. The need for opportunities like this continues to grow.

When Joan Middleton and I began conversations about the launch of the SSC Memory Café at our Hingham campus, she told me that one of her main goals was to create an opportunity she wished she had while caring for her late husband, Mike. Joan, like so many other care partners, wanted Mike to remain at home for as long as possible, but that meant finding activities that would be suitable to his changing needs.

SSC Memory Cafés provide activities for the patient, but also support for the care partner. It is a time when couples can reconnect by sharing in activities they both enjoy. But it is also a safe space where care partners can connect with one another, providing the information and understanding that can only come from someone who 'gets it.' The program is also designed to help bring in special guests to address the needs of the care partner, ranging from help with insurance, understanding next steps, and managing self-care.

I am grateful for the support of Joan Middleton and her family for making the Hingham SSC Memory Café a reality and removing any financial barriers to participation. I am equally thrilled that the Harry C. and Mary Elizabeth Grafton Memorial Fund has underwritten a new Memory Café at SSC's Ellison Center for the Arts in Duxbury.

The SSC Memory Café in Hingham meets the third Thursday of each month, from 12:30 " 2:30 pm. The SSC Memory Café in Duxbury meets the first Tuesday of each month from 10:30 am " 12:30 pm. Participants are encouraged attend both of these free cafés each month.